The nurse is teaching nursing students about childhood fractures. ...

[ec501234]

The nurse is teaching nursing students about childhood fractures. Which describes a compound skull fracture?
 
  a. Involves the basilar portion of the occipital bone
  b. Bone is exposed through the skin
  c. Traumatic separations of the cranial sutures
  d. Bone is pushed inward, causing pressure on the brain

Question 2

An appropriate nursing intervention when caring for an unconscious child should be to:
 
  a. change the child's position infrequently to minimize the chance of increased ICP.
  b. avoid using narcotics or sedatives to provide comfort and pain relief.
  c. monitor fluid intake and output carefully to avoid fluid overload and cerebral edema.
  d. give tepid sponge baths to reduce fever because antipyretics are contraindicated.

[miss.ashley]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
A compound fracture has the bone exposed through the skin. A basilar fracture involves the basilar portion of the frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, temporal, or occipital bone. Diastatic skull fractures are traumatic separations of the cranial sutures. A depressed fracture has the bone pushed inward, causing pressure on the brain.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Often comatose patients cannot cope with the quantity of fluids that they normally tolerate. Overhydration must be avoided to prevent fatal cerebral edema. The child's position should be changed frequently to avoid complications such as pneumonia and skin breakdown. Narcotics and sedatives should be used as necessary to reduce pain and discomfort, which can increase ICP. Antipyretics are the method of choice for fever reduction.